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At the beginning of the year there was a post regarding morning routines and getting ready for school. Picture schedules were discussed due to their ability to help children understand expectations, follow directions, and foster independence. Getting ready for bed can also be challenging for preschoolers and parents. Attached are some samples of bedtime routines from http://www.bettefetter.com. They can can be changed around to fit your family’s routine or feel free to make your own!

Now that spring is around the corner, it’s time to enjoy the beautiful weather and get outside! There are many activities you can do outside that will be not only fun but also helpful to your child’s development. Below is a list of some outdoor activity suggestions and their many benefits!

Break out the Sidewalk chalk

Practice drawing pictures, lines, shapes or letters. Use a spray bottle filled with water to spritz-away and start over

The use of social stories can be helpful for all children. For example, they can help with preparing for new situations and understanding new social skills and rules. The following is a link describing social stories, what they can help with, as well as writing social stories.

Since spring will officially start in a few weeks and everyone will hopefully be outside more, there are some great language based activities that can be done outside as well as inside on those rainy days. Here are a list of some general ideas that you can adapt depending on weather and materials you have in your home.

Start discussing new vocabulary such as flowers, bugs, rain/raindrops, grass, bunnies, birds and concepts such as growing and weather

Using eggs for an egg hunt either outside or inside to work on the prepositions on, in, under, behind, etc. receptively (tell them where the eggs are) or expressively (“Where is the egg?”)

Talk about planting flowers/plants- different parts of the flowers

Sequencing the steps- planting seeds, watering seeds, growing, and full grown plant using first, next, last

As a mother, I know my children many stuffed animals most of which sit on the bottom of the bed never being used. Well, here are some ways to utilize those furry little animals to get your child moving while having fun!

Animal Walking- gather a variety of different animals i.e. frog, bear, bunny, etc. and have your child walk like each one. As this becomes easy for your child increase the challenge by placing obstacles in their path to move over, under, around, etc.

Animal Toss- use stuffed animals of various sizes and shapes to toss into a container such as an empty laundry basket. Increase the challenge by increasing the distance, having the child balance on a cushion or pillow while tossing, stand on one foot and throw, etc.

Animal Musical Chairs- have the children hold stuffed animals while playing musical chairs. When the music stops instead of having the children sit have them place their animal on the chair. Vary the movement i.e. running, skipping, jumping, bear walking, etc.

Parachute Play- use a bed sheet as a parachute. Place a stuffed animal(s) in the center of the sheet and lift the sheet up and down, giving the animal(s) a ride. Also try Ring Around the Rosy. The children can walk, run, skip, jump, etc.

Flying Animals- have your child lay on their back and squeeze a stuffed animal between their ankles. Have the child lift their legs while keeping the animal between their ankles and make their animal “fly”. This is a great core strengthening activity.

Encourage your child to have fun playing with their stuffed animals while you are sneaking in some physical activity!

Baking: baking in the kitchen is a great way to work on following directions

Indoor Scavenger Hunt: create a list of things for your child to find. This could incorporate size concepts (i.e. find something small), colors, household vocabulary, etc. Turn out the lights and use a flashlight for even more fun

Have a playdate- playing with a peer is a great way to foster social skills

Read books together: take a picture walk and talk about the pictures, ask questions about the story and how the characters might be feeling, make predictions about what might happen next

Make homemade Play Dough: involves following directions to make it, playing with the play dough can work on language related to sharing materials and commenting (i.e. look, I made a _____)

Store bought toys can be lots of fun but don’t underestimate the fun you and your little one can have with items you already have in your home. Below is a list of household items and easy activities that can be used both for fun & fine motor skill building!

-Place dried rice or beans on a tray or shallow container. Hide small toys or buttons and have your child try to find them with their finger tips or use small tongs or strawberry hullers to pull them out

Shaving cream or whipped cream

-Enjoy some sensory play time…..place shaving cream or whipped cream on a tray. Practice “drawing” line strokes, shapes or letters in the cream, with your fingertips.

Sponges

-Cut sponge into small, 1/2” squares. Use 2 small bowls, one with water and one empty. Challenge your child to dip the sponge squares into the the water, then squeeze them out (using finger tips) into the empty bowl. Coloring the water with foodcoloring may make it more fun!

-Use small sponge squares to sponge paint a picture.

Flour, salt, oil, foodcoloring, cream of tartar

-Make playdough! Follow this link from tinkerlab.com for a great homemade playdough recipe.